BBC Gossip Column Debunked – Issue 74

The transfer window may well have slammed shut in the UK but it is still slightly ajar in Spain therefore it makes sense to squeeze out one last issue of gossip column debunking before we double lock the frames until January, so here is what could still happen and the reasons why some moves did not

Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, 25, could still complete a move to Barcelona with the Spanish transfer window open until midnight on Friday. (Daily Express)Something could still yet happen between now and the end of the day

The Anfield clubwill sanction the sale of Coutinho to Barca, but not until next summer. (Sport – in Spanish)But in fairness this looks the more likely scenario

Barcelona have lined up Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil as an alternative to Coutinho, with the Gunners valuing the 28-year-old at £55m. (Cadena Cope – in Spanish)They would be better off keeping the £55m in my opinion

Manchester City will attempt to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez on loan next year, and blame the Gunners for the 28-year-old’s proposed £60m deadline-day deal collapsing. (Daily Mirror)Will they really sign Sanchez on loan for four months though? If Zlatan is fit for United in January then maybe this is City’s trump card in return

City are furious that the Gunners did not have a replacement for Sanchez lined up earlier than their failed bid for Monaco’s 21-year-old winger Thomas Lemar. (ESPN)Furious because they didn’t get their own way but the lack of action from Arsenal is hardly surprising

Ross Barkley turned down a move to Chelsea partly because Everton refused to let the 23-year-old midfielder speak with Tottenham. (Guardian)Farhad Moshiri’s comments last night intimated that Barkley would prefer a move to Tottenham in January

Juventus have the basis of an agreement in place with midfielder Emre Can’s representatives, if the 23-year-old decides not to renew his Liverpool contract. (Ilbianconero, via Calciomercato)A lot of ifs and buts here, I wouldn’t read too much into this just yet

Everton wanted to sign former Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen on loan from Barcelona, but the Spanish side refused to release the 31-year-old. (Liverpool Echo)Not sure how much of a role Vermaelen will have at Barcelona in what has already been an injury hit spell with the club

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 30, did not complete a move to Everton because his wife rejected it. (Daily Star)This is NEWS!!

Jurgen Klopp had been waiting to sign new Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for three years after watching him play in the Champions League with Arsenal while Klopp was manager of Borussia Dortmund. (Daily Express)Well he has finally got his man then

Bournemouth had a £25m bid for Leicester City winger Demarai Gray, 21, rejected. (Sky Sports via Bournemouth Echo)To be interesting to see just how much playing time he now gets at Leicester

Former Southampton playmaker Matt le Tissier has dismissed reports Liverpool will sign defender Virgil van Dijk, 26, for a reduced price in January. (Daily Star)They have ever right to make another bid, whether it is cut price though remains to be seen. A lot will depend on whether van Dijk plays again for Southampton

Tottenham playmaker Marcus Edwards, 18, turned down several loan offers in an attempt to fight for a spot in the first team. (Guardian)If you’re good enough, you’re old enough and there’s no reason why he won’t be the next in line off of the Tottenham production line.

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